-
IMA Fungus Jun 2024The pace at which Next Generation Sequence data is being produced continues to accelerate as technology improves. As a result, such data are increasingly becoming...
IMA Genome - F19 : A genome assembly and annotation guide to empower mycologists, including annotated draft genome sequences of Ceratocystis pirilliformis, Diaporthe australafricana, Fusarium ophioides, Paecilomyces lecythidis, and Sporothrix stenoceras.
The pace at which Next Generation Sequence data is being produced continues to accelerate as technology improves. As a result, such data are increasingly becoming accessible to biologists outside of the field of bioinformatics. In contrast, access to training in the methods of genome assembly and annotation are not growing at a similar rate. In this issue, we report on a Genome Assembly Workshop for Mycologists that was held at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) at the University of Pretoria, South Africa and make available the 12 draft genome sequences emanating from the event. With the aim of making the process of genome assembly and annotation more accessible to biologists, we provide a step-by-step guide to both genome assembly and annotation, intended to encourage and empower mycologists to use genome data in their research.
PubMed: 38831329
DOI: 10.1186/s43008-024-00142-z -
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.) Jun 2024This study aims to investigate the microbiological working environment of biowaste workers, focusing on airborne fungal and bacterial species exposure, size...
This study aims to investigate the microbiological working environment of biowaste workers, focusing on airborne fungal and bacterial species exposure, size distribution, and species on workers' hands. The research, conducted across six plants with 45 personal exposure assessments, revealed a total of 150 bacterial species and 47 fungal species on workers' hands, including 19 and 9 species classified in risk class 2 (RC2), respectively. Workers' exposure analysis identified 172 bacterial and 32 fungal species, with several in RC2. In work areas, 55 anaerobic bacterial species belonging to RC2 were found. Different species compositions were observed in various particle size fractions, with the highest species richness for anaerobic bacteria in the fraction potentially depositing in the secondary bronchi and for fungi in the pharynx fraction. The geometric mean aerodynamic diameter (D) of RC2 anaerobic bacteria was 3.9 µm, <1.6 µm for Streptomyces, 3.4 µm for Aspergillus, and 2.0 µm for Penicillium. Overlapping species were identified on workers' hands, in their exposure, and in work areas, with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus casseliflavus, and Aspergillus niger consistently present. While the majority of RC2 bacterial species lacked documented associations with occupational health problems, certain bacteria and fungi, including Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella pneumonia, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Lichtheimia corymbifera, Lichtheimia ramosa, and Paecilomyces variotii, have previously been linked to occupational health issues. In conclusion, biowaste workers were exposed to a wide range of microorganisms including RC2 species which would deposit in different parts of the airways.
Topics: Humans; Fungi; Bacteria; Occupational Exposure; Air Microbiology; Hand; Environmental Monitoring; Inhalation Exposure; Air Pollutants, Occupational
PubMed: 38788497
DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.05.018 -
Bioresources and Bioprocessing May 2024Biodetoxification fungus selectively degrades toxic inhibitors generated from pretreatment of lignocellulose without consuming fermentable sugars. However, one barrier...
Biodetoxification fungus selectively degrades toxic inhibitors generated from pretreatment of lignocellulose without consuming fermentable sugars. However, one barrier for practical application is the sustained cell viability in the consequent fermentation step to compete the fermentable sugars with fermenting strains, resulting in sugar loss and reduced target product yield. This study investigated the competitive growth property between the biodetoxification fungus Paecilomyces variotii FN89 and the L-lactic acid bacterium Pediococcus acidilactici ZY271 under varying temperature and lactic acid osmatic stress. The results show that the L-lactic acid bacterium Ped. acidilactici ZY271 showed less thermotolerance to Pae. variotii FN89 at high temperature of 45 °C to 50 °C in both synthetic medium and wheat straw hydrolysate. In the higher temperature environment, the growth of the biodetoxification strian failed to compete with the lactic acid fermentation strain and was quickly eliminated from the fermentation system. The high temperature fermentation facilitated a fast transition from the detoxification stage to the fermentation stage for higher production of L-lactic acid.
PubMed: 38780813
DOI: 10.1186/s40643-024-00772-6 -
Heliyon May 2024This study aims to delve into the anti-fatigue and sleep-aiding effects of various formulations containing extracts.
AIMS
This study aims to delve into the anti-fatigue and sleep-aiding effects of various formulations containing extracts.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PGB [incorporating extract (GE), broken spore powder (GB) and mycelium (PH)] and GBS [composed of GE, GB, and powder (GS)] were chosen as representative recipes for this study. Mice were treated with these recipes or key components of for 14 consecutive days. Subsequently, a weight-bearing swimming experiment was conducted to assess the mice's exhaustion time and evaluate the anti-fatigue properties of the recipes. Sleep-aiding effects were analyzed by measuring the sleep latency and duration. Furthermore, levels of blood lactic acid, serum urea nitrogen, hepatic glycogen, muscle glycogen, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in the livers and muscles.
KEY FINDINGS
The anti-fatigue abilities of the tested mice were significantly improved after treatment with PGB and their sleep quality improved as well with GBS treatment. PGB treatment for 14 days could significantly prolong the exhaustion time in weight-bearing swimming (from 10.1 ± 0.5 min to 15.2 ± 1.3 min). Meanwhile, glycogen levels in the livers and muscles were significantly increased, while the levels of serum lactic acid, serum urea nitrogen, and MDA in the livers and muscles were significantly decreased. In contrast, mice treated with GBS for 14 days experienced significant improvements in sleep quality, with shortened sleep latency (from 6.8 ± 0.7 min to 4.2 ± 0.4 min), extended sleep duration (from 88.3 ± 1.4 min to 152.5 ± 9.3 min), and decreased muscle MDA levels. These results indicated that extracts can be used for anti-fatigue and or aid in sleeping, depending on how they are prepared and administered.
SIGNIFICANCE
This study provides experimental evidence and theoretical basis for the development of recipes that are specifically designed to help with anti-fatigue and sleep.
PubMed: 38770283
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30907 -
Acta Biochimica Et Biophysica Sinica Apr 2024Biological control of pests and pathogens has attracted much attention due to its green, safe and effective characteristics. However, it faces the dilemma of... (Review)
Review
Biological control of pests and pathogens has attracted much attention due to its green, safe and effective characteristics. However, it faces the dilemma of insignificant effects in large-scale applications. Therefore, an in-depth exploration of the metabolic potential of biocontrol fungi based on big omics data is crucial for a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the specific modes of action operated by various biocontrol fungi. This article analyzes the preferences for extracellular carbon and nitrogen source degradation, secondary metabolites (nonribosomal peptides, polyketide synthases) and their product characteristics and the conversion relationship between extracellular primary metabolism and intracellular secondary metabolism for eight different filamentous fungi with characteristics appropriate for the biological control of bacterial pathogens and phytopathogenic nematodes. Further clarification is provided that , encoding a large number of hydrolase enzymes capable of degrading pathogen protection barrier, can be directly applied in the field as a predatory biocontrol fungus, whereas , as an antibiosis-active biocontrol control fungus, can form dominant strains on preferred substrates and produce a large number of secondary metabolites to achieve antibacterial effects. By clarifying the levels of biological control achievable by different biocontrol fungi, we provide a theoretical foundation for their application to cropping habitats.
Topics: Fungi; Secondary Metabolism; Carbon; Biological Control Agents; Pest Control, Biological; Nitrogen; Animals; Metabolomics
PubMed: 38686460
DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024056 -
Food Chemistry: X Jun 2024In this study, a fortified Daqu (FF Daqu) was prepared using high cellulase-producing , and the effects of in situ fortification on the physicochemical properties,...
In this study, a fortified Daqu (FF Daqu) was prepared using high cellulase-producing , and the effects of in situ fortification on the physicochemical properties, flavor, active microbial community and metabolism of Daqu were analyzed. The saccharification power, liquefaction power, and cellulase activity of the FF Daqu were significantly increased compared with that of the traditional Daqu (CT Daqu). The overall differences in flavor components and their contents were not significant, but the higher alcohols were lower in FF Daqu. The relative abundance of dominant active species in FF Daqu was 85.08% of the total active microbiota higher than 63.42% in CT Daqu, and the biomarkers were and , respectively. The enzymes related to starch and sucrose metabolic pathways were up-regulated and expressed in FF Daqu. In the laboratory level simulation of baijiu brewing, the yield of baijiu was increased by 3.36% using FF Daqu.
PubMed: 38665634
DOI: 10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101382 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024Jiuqu is one of the important raw materials for brewing Chinese rice wine (Huangjiu), often known as the "bone of wine". In this study, the microbial community and...
Jiuqu is one of the important raw materials for brewing Chinese rice wine (Huangjiu), often known as the "bone of wine". In this study, the microbial community and flavor substances of Jiuqu made with different amounts of shiitake mushroom () were investigated through high-throughput sequencing technology and headspace gas chromatography-ion migration spectroscopy (HS-GC-IMS), using traditional wheat yeast as a control. The results showed that 1593 genera and 5507 species were identified among the four types of yeast, with and being the most dominant microorganisms at the genus level. Carbohydrate, coenzyme, and amino acid metabolism may be the main metabolic processes of the dominant microorganisms in Jiuqu. In terms of flavor, a total of 79 volatile substance monomers and some dimers were detected from four types of Jiuqu raw materials, with the main substances being 12 aldehydes, 19 ketones, 13 alcohols, 19 esters, 4 olefins, 1 acid, 3 ethers, 4 furans, 1 pyrazine, 1 pyridine, 1 triethylamine, and 1 thiazole. The correlation results indicate that , , and correlate significantly with the volatile flavor compounds unique to shiitake mushrooms and also have a positive effect on alcohol, esters, and furans. These results could shed light on the selection of as a fermentation starter for Huangjiu in the Qinba Mountain area.
PubMed: 38611324
DOI: 10.3390/foods13071019 -
Studies in Mycology Mar 2024The order is diverse and includes species that impact our daily lives in many ways. In the past, its taxonomy was difficult due to morphological similarities, which...
The order is diverse and includes species that impact our daily lives in many ways. In the past, its taxonomy was difficult due to morphological similarities, which made accurate identification of species difficult. This situation improved and stabilised with recent taxonomic and nomenclatural revisions that modernised , and . This was mainly due to the availability of curated accepted species lists and the publication of comprehensive DNA sequence reference datasets. This has also led to a sharp increase in the number of new species described each year with the accepted species lists in turn also needing regular updates. The focus of this study was to review the 160 species described between the last list of accepted species published in 2020 until 31 December 2022. To review these species, single-gene phylogenies were constructed and GCPSR (Genealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Species Recognition) was applied. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses were performed to further determine the relationships of the newly introduced species. As a result, we accepted 133 species (37 , two , 59 , two , 32 and one ), synonymised 22, classified four as doubtful and created a new combination for , which is classified in . This brings the number of accepted species to 453 for , 12 for , 535 for , 14 for , 203 for and four for . We accept the newly introduced section (in ), and series (in sect. ) and (in sect. ). In addition, we validate the invalidly described species and , and series (in sect. ), introduce a new combination for (type of the genus) and place it in a new section in subgenus , provide an updated description for , and list excluded and recently synonymised species that were previously accepted. This study represents an important update of the accepted species lists in . section Visagie, Kocsubé & Houbraken. series J.J. Silva, B.T. Iamanaka, Frisvad. J.J. Silva, M.H.P. Fungaro, Frisvad, M.H. Taniwaki & B.T. Iamanaka; J.J. Silva, Frisvad, M.H.P. Fungaro, M.H. Taniwaki & B.T. Iamanaka. (Durieu & Mont.) Visagie, Malloch, L. Kriegsteiner, Samson & Houbraken; (Crous & Decock) Visagie & Houbraken. Visagie CM, Yilmaz N, Kocsubé S, Frisvad JC, Hubka V, Samson RA, Houbraken J (2024). A review of recently introduced , , and other species. : 1-66. doi: 10.3114/sim.2024.107.01.
PubMed: 38600958
DOI: 10.3114/sim.2024.107.01 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024The resource recovery and reuse of precious metal-laden wastewater is widely recognized as crucial for sustainable development. Superalloy electrolytes, produced through...
The resource recovery and reuse of precious metal-laden wastewater is widely recognized as crucial for sustainable development. Superalloy electrolytes, produced through the electrolysis of superalloy scrap, contain significant quantities of precious metal ions, thereby possessing substantial potential for recovery value. This study first explores the feasibility of utilizing fungi to treat Superalloy electrolytes. Five fungi resistant to high concentrations of heavy metals in electrolytes (mainly containing Co, Cr, Mo, Re, and Ni) were screened from the soil of a mining area to evaluate their adsorption characteristics. All five fungi were identified by ITS sequencing, and among them, showed the best adsorption performance for the five heavy metals; therefore, we conducted further research on its adsorption characteristics. The best adsorption effect of Co, Cr, Mo, Re, and Ni was 37.09, 64.41, 47.87, 41.59, and 25.38%, respectively, under the conditions of pH 5, time 1 h, dosage 26.67 g/L, temperature 25-30°C, and an initial metal concentration that was diluted fivefold in the electrolyte. The biosorption of Co, Mo, Re, and Ni was better matched by the Langmuir model than by the Freundlich model, while Cr displayed the opposite pattern, showing that the adsorption process of for the five heavy metals is not a single adsorption mechanism, but may involve a multi-step adsorption process. The kinetics study showed that the quasi-second-order model fitted better than the quasi-first-order model, indicating that chemical adsorption was the main adsorption process of the five heavy metals in . Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the relevant active groups, i.e., hydroxyl (-OH), amino (-NH), amide (- CONH), carbonyl (-C = O), carboxyl (-COOH), and phosphate (PO), participated in the adsorption process. This study emphasized the potential application of in the treatment of industrial wastewater with extremely complex background values.
PubMed: 38591027
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1371877 -
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) Apr 2024Paecilomyces species are rare fungi that are resistant to standard treatment and have increasing clinical relevance. The Purpureocillium lilacinum, formerly known as...
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
Paecilomyces species are rare fungi that are resistant to standard treatment and have increasing clinical relevance. The Purpureocillium lilacinum, formerly known as Paecilomyces lilacinus, has a unique sensitivity for the corneal surface. However, only a few cases have been documented globally. This case report presents the successful management of a patient with Paecilomyces lilacinus keratitis with topical voriconazole and oral itraconazole.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 40-year-old woman came to our ophthalmology clinic complaining of right eye pain due to a severe corneal infection in her right eye. Corneal scraping and identification of the cultured pathogen were performed, which revealed Paecilomyces lilacinus. The corneal infection improved after being treated with hourly topical voriconazole (10 mg/ml) and oral traconozole.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
Paecilomyces/Purpureocillium keratitis, which accounts for 5% of keratomycosis cases in tropical and subtropical areas, is extremely rare. It does not respond well to conventional antifungal treatment and frequently requires therapeutic surgery. Risk factors include wearing contact lenses, ocular trauma, ocular surgery, corticosteroids, and intraocular lens implantation.
CONCLUSION
For the treatment of Paecilomyces lilacinus keratitis that is unresponsive to conventional antifungal medications, voriconazole may be helpful. Early organism detection and the appropriate therapy are necessary for the management of keratitis.
PubMed: 38576982
DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000001925